Figure 2-16 Industrial waste generation by type (fiscal year 2006)

gy-saving effect, and are containers effectively contributing to measures to counter global warming.

## (b) PET bottles

The growth rate of PET bottle sales remains steady, as the production of soft drink, accounting for about 90% of the usage of PET bottles, is increasing steadily every year.

The practice of recycling of PET bottles started with the beginning of sorted collection by municipalities in accord with the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law enforced in April 1997, and the collection ratio (the amount of the sorted collection compared with the amount of manufacturing of plastics used for PET bottles) in fiscal 1997 was only 9.8%; it had risen to 49.4%, in fiscal 2007. When the amount of PET bottles collected chiefly by business units other than the municipal entities are included, the collection ratio accounts for 69.2%, according to the research conducted by the PET Bottles Recycling Promotion Association, a group of manufacturers of soft drink and PET bottles.

The number of municipalities that have adopted sorted collection systems increased from 631 in fiscal 1997 to 1,765 in fiscal 2007, about 97.2% of the total of municipalities.

Moreover, the recycling of bottles used for food (chiefly for beverages) which are then used again as a bottle containing food is commonly called “bottle to bottle,” and this technology (chemical recycling) was put to practical use in fiscal 2003. (Figure 2-18 and 2-19)

## (c) Plastic containers and packaging

Plastic containers and packaging were newly targeted by the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law in fiscal 2000, and the beginning of segregated collection by the municipalities.

Sorted collection in fiscal 2007 was 644,000 tons, and it is expected this figure will increase as recycling systems become more common. The number of municipalities making the sorted collections in fiscal 2007 was 1,304, about 71.8% of the total of municipalities.

## (d) Paper containers and packaging

Paper containers and packaging were newly targeted by the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law in fiscal 2000, along with plastic containers and packaging, and sorted collection by the municipalities began.

Sorted collection in fiscal 2007 was 83,000 tons, and the number of municipalities carrying out sorted collection is limited to only 696. The reason is this figure contains those municipalities that handle independent sorted collection of paper containers and packaging. This number does not include the collection of paper containers and packaging, even if sorted collection is actually taking place by making use of the collection routes of newspaper and magazines of the municipalities, which had already been implemented prior to the enforcement of the law.

## (e) Steel cans

In recent years, the consumption weight of steel cans has dropped; 834,000 tons in fiscal 2007. The recycling rate (ratio of the amount of recycling, the amount collected and recycled as iron scrap, to the consumption weight) is 85.1% in fiscal 2007, according to the Steel Can Recycling Society. (Figure 2-20).

The background to this high figure is possibly the accep-

tance framework of steel cans has been firmly established.

## (f) Aluminum cans

The consumption weight of aluminum cans has remained stable in recent years; 301,000 tons in fiscal 2007. The recycling rate (ratio of the weight of reclamation to the consumption weight) is 92.7% in fiscal 2007, according to the Aluminum Can Recycling Society. (Figure 2-21). In the same year, the recycling rate of collected aluminum cans to manufacture new cans (commonly known as “can to can”) was 62.7%.

The background to this high figure is possibly the accep-tance framework of aluminum cans has been firmly estab-lished, in the same way as steel cans.

## (g) Paper cartons

Paper cartons (except for cartons containing aluminum) are used as containers for milk, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. The practical amount of sorted collection of paper cartons in fiscal 2007 was 17,000 tons, with 1,405 municipalities carrying out sorted collection for the year.

The amount of paper carton shipments for beverage in fiscal 2007 was 216,000 tons, with 194 tons used in domestic households, 10,000 tons in vending machines and restaurants, and 12,000 tons in school lunches.

The total amount of collections by municipalities, at counter shop and group collections were 56,000 tons; the recycling usages are for the manufacture of toilet paper, tissue paper and pressboard.

## (h) Cardboard

Cardboard was newly targeted by the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law in fiscal 2000 and sorted collection by the municipalities began. The actual result of sorted collection in fiscal 2007 was 583,000 tons.

The number of municipalities carrying out sorted collec-